Public Service staff from all States and Territories have been recognised by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth again this year in her Australia Day Honours List, rewarding many for their selflessness and commitment to duty and service for the Australian community.
Her Majesty’s awards for members of the Australian Capital Territory Public Service were decided under the Order of Australia and announced on the Queen’s behalf by his Excellency the Governor-General, General David Hurley.
Congratulating the recipients of the honours, General Hurley described the recent years as ‘challenging’ and said the presentation of the Australia Day awards provided a reminder of the ‘richness of spirit, selflessness and good’ in the Australian community.
The ACTPS employees honoured by the Queen this year, including those awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM), were:
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Professor Amanda BARNARD AM
Australian National University
For significant service to computational science, to medical research, and to education.
Professor Barnard has been Senior Professor of Computational Science and Research School of Computer Science at the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science since 2020
Meredith Maxwell HINCHLIFFE AM
Canberra
For significant service to the arts through a range of roles and organisations.
Ms Hinchliffe has been a patron and donor of many ACT institutions and museums including the Canberra Museum and Gallery since 2004 and the National Gallery of Australia from 1987 to 2019.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Sara White BURNS PSM
Intergovernmental Relations
For outstanding public service, in particular to improving cross border governance and the modernisation of cabinet processes.
Ms Burns is recognised for her commitment to improving cross border governance between the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, and the modernisation of cabinet processes.
She has led the Intergovernmental Relations Team and was instrumental in establishing a regional approach to local government policy issues.
She provided a significant contribution through her drive for the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales governments to commit at a policy level to a ‘seamless border’. This policy commitment set the foundation for improvements in integrated service planning and delivery, infrastructure coordination and economic development.
Ms Burns has always maintained a focus on building trusted relationships with stakeholders to achieve change.
She worked tirelessly to build strong relationships with representatives from surrounding jurisdictions and their Councils.
Through her facilitation, leaders have been able to pursue a regional approach to the policy and service delivery challenges facing the area. More recently, Ms Burns has led the Australian Capital Territory Cabinet Office where her innovation and improvement of cabinet processes ensured better decision making and outcomes for the Australian Capital Territory Government and the Australian Capital Territory community. Under her leadership the cabinet process became fully electronic, ensuring security of documents and timely delivery of materials to Ministers. This process improvement became critical during COVID-19 when online cabinet meetings were held throughout lockdown.
A passionate and dedicated public servant with a calm and positive leadership style, Ms Burns reflects the Australian Capital Territory Public Service values of integrity, innovation, respect and collaboration.
Mary Louise TOOHEY PSM
Parliamentary Counsel Office
For outstanding public service to law reform in the Australian Capital Territory and supporting the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Toohey joined the ACT Parliamentary Counsel’s Office (PCO) in August 2001 and served as Parliamentary Counsel for the Australian Capital Territory Government for 5 years until her retirement in August 2021.
She is recognised for her outstanding leadership and service to the Australian Capital Territory Public Service, in particular her contribution to legislative drafting, improving the accessibility of laws in the Australian Capital Territory, and in supporting the Australian Capital Territory Government’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Ms Toohey has consistently provided outstanding service through her leadership, professionalism and commitment to delivering outcomes that has fostered a culture of high performance, while maintaining a positive working environment that achieves results.
When critically important legislation was required to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, she led her team to work closely and effectively with multiple policy areas, supporting the development, introduction, passing and publication of the urgent statutes needed.
More broadly, Ms Toohey’s work in the PCO has significantly improved the community’s access to laws, including the redevelopment of the Australian Capital Territory Legislation register, promoting the use of plain English drafting and the modernisation of legislative drafting styles.
Ms Toohey has also driven the modernisation of processes in the PCO. She led the redevelopment of the PCO’s Job Management System to facilitate easy access and management of work records for staff, regardless of their location. She also initiated the review of approved forms in Australian Capital Territory legislation, saving the Government significant resources.
Throughout her service at the PCO, Ms Toohey has excelled in all aspects of her role. She is worthy of recognition for her significant service to the Australian Capital Territory community.
